From Sani Dalhat, Zaria
The chairman of Board of Trustees of Zaria Education Development Association (ZEDA), Prof. Idris Abdulkadir has died in Abuja after protracted illness.
Confirming his death, a source close to the family, said he died at early hours of Monday after battling with old age and sickness for some times.
The Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the age of 79 and is survived by one wife and 10 children.
Until his death, he was the chairman, Board of Trustees of ZEDA, a Non-Governmental Organization.
Late Prof. Abdulkadir was a Professor of Veterinary Medicine at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He rose through the ranks to become Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the university.
He was appointed the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) and moved from Lagos to Abuja where he succeeded in building the magnificent edifice on Aguiyi Ironsi Way, Maitama, Abuja, which is now the headquarters of the commission.
Indeed, an auditorium in the commission was named after him, called ‘Prof Idris Abdulkadir Auditorium.’
The late Don was the pioneer chairman, Governing Board of the defunct Zaria Pharmaceutical Company (ZPC) Ltd. Zaria, manufacturer of the ‘ZARINJECT disposable syringes and needles.
He was also Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Kaduna State University (KASU), Kaduna.
He has been buried in Abuja in accordance with Islamic injunctions.
